The Smile of the Child

What The Smile of the Child does

The Smile of the Child (Το Χαμόγελο του Παιδιού) is a Greek nonprofit association (Σύλλογος) founded in 1995 in Athens following the vision recorded by 10-year-old Andreas Giannopoulos shortly before his death. Operating 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, the organization delivers a comprehensive child-protection platform across 18 connected locations in Greece, serving children and families affected by violence, disappearance, health issues, and poverty. Cumulative throughput exceeds 2.2 million beneficiaries since founding, with 195,000+ annual calls handled by the National SOS Line 1056 alone.

The service portfolio spans four axes: prevention (school programs via Ministry of Education cooperation and the 'ODYSSEAS' Mobile Lab, Smile Academy distance-learning platform, Cisco Academy digital-skills training), intervention (National SOS Line 1056, European Support Line 116111, European Missing Children Line 116000, National Missing Adults Line 1017, Chat 1056, Cybertipline Hellas, Missing Alert app, Amber Alert Hellas, Viber chatbot, 24/7 field intervention teams, Immediate Social Intervention Centers), treatment (residential Shelter Houses, Vacation Houses, Day Care Houses, the Child Advocacy Center for child-friendly justice), and therapy ('The House of the Child' day-center for individualized mental health services, medical examinations, hospital transport, blood donations, pediatric home care, and family hosting). The Emergency Operations Center at Athens International Airport 'El. Venizelos' is the only airport-based child-focused emergency operations facility in Greece. Supporting technology is communications-oriented rather than AI-driven: hotline infrastructure, online reporting portals, mobile applications, and Cisco Webex video conferencing.

Revenue is generated through a diversified, donation-based model: individual donations, corporate sponsorships (named sponsors include Lidl, Cosmote, OPAP, Cisco, Digital Realty Hellas, The Smiling Hippo), Greek government grants (Ministry of Health funds 'The House of the Child'; Ministry of Education cooperation since 2009; Ministry of Migration and Asylum; Ministry of National Defense), European Commission funding (DG ECHO, AMIF, asylum/migration funds), UNHCR cooperation, and e-commerce sales of commemorative items (baptism, wedding, gift products) via the in-house e-shop. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries regardless of nationality or religion. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Konstantinos Giannopoulos (brother of the founder), audited annually by Ernst & Young, and certified to ISO 9001:2015 by TUV Austria Hellas for co-financed project management. The only disclosed external funding event is a $100,000 round from the Digital Equity Accelerator in April 2025.

Name

The Smile of the Child

Legal name

Το Χαμόγελο του Παιδιού

Website

https://hamogelo.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Smile of the Child is a Greek nonprofit association founded in 1995 that provides 24/7/365 child protection services across 18 locations in Greece, operating national and European hotlines, shelters, mental health centers, school prevention programs, and an airport-based emergency operations center for children affected by violence, disappearance, health issues, or poverty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child welfare services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Child Care Services (62441), Educational Support Services (611710), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Child Rights & Protection (BPADAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Child protection services
• Missing children support
• Crisis helplines
• Shelter services
• Family assistance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Support from companies listed on website as sponsors, including Lidl, Cosmote, OPAP, and others
3. Government Grants: Funding from Greek Ministry of Health for 'The House of the Child' mental health center operations
4. European Funding: European Commission funding through various programs including DG ECHO, AMIF, asylum/migration funds
5. E-commerce Sales: Sale of commemorative items including wedding candles, baptism products, and gifts through e-shop

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Smile of the Child is a Greek nonprofit organization providing comprehensive child protection services, including 24/7 national and European hotlines (1056, 116111, 116000, 1017), online reporting (Cybertipline, Chat 1056, Missing Alert app, Amber Alert), shelters, mental health centers, search-and-rescue operations, and educational programs. All services are delivered free of charge to children and families regardless of nationality or religion, supported by donations, sponsorships, and government/European grants.

Product overview

The Smile of the Child operates as a comprehensive child protection organization offering a multi-module service portfolio. The core services include hotlines (National SOS Line 1056, European Support Line 116111, European Missing Children Line 116000, National Missing Adults Line 1017) and digital platforms (Chat 1056, Cybertipline Hellas, Missing Alert app, Amber Alert Hellas). These are complemented by educational programs (Smile Academy, Cisco Academy, Studio YouSmile, Mobile Laboratory 'ΟΔΥΣΣΕΑΣ'), residential care facilities (Shelter Houses, Vacation Houses, Day Care Houses), and specialized centers (Child's House mental health center, Child Advocacy Center, Emergency Operations Center). The organization provides services across prevention, intervention, and treatment axes for children affected by violence, disappearance, health issues, and poverty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chat 1056: Online chat application providing counseling services for children with issues that concern them
• Smile Academy
• Cybertipline Hellas
• Amber Alert Hellas
• Missing Alert Hellas
• The House of the Child (Το Σπίτι του Παιδιού)
• Missing Alert App

Products and services

• National SOS Line 1056 Recognized as the National SOS Line, operating 24/7 to provide immediate support to children and adults on issues concerning them. Receives over 195,000 calls annually.
• European Support Line 116111 European Children Support Line providing free psychological support to children and adults. Staffed exclusively by specialized Psychologists, available nationwide 24 hours, 365 days per year, connected to 7 telephone centers.
• European Line for Missing Children 116000 European network line for missing children, part of coordinated international efforts for locating missing minors across Europe.
• National Line for Missing Adults 1017 National line for missing adults, supporting families in locating missing adult family members.
• Chat 1056 Online chat application extending the National SOS Line 1056, providing counseling services through written text communication. Operates 24/7, staffed by specialized psychologists and social workers.
• Cybertipline Hellas Online reporting service allowing users to submit reports (anonymous if desired) for children at risk due to physical abuse, sexual exploitation, bullying, or child sexual abuse material. Operates 24/7, 365 days per year.
• Missing Alert App Mobile application helping users report and track missing persons, enabling the community to assist in locating missing individuals.
• Amber Alert Hellas National coordination program for early warning notification of citizens regarding incidents of disappearance/abduction of minors. Part of the Global Missing Children's Network.
• The House of the Child (Το Σπίτι του Παιδιού) Day Center providing individualized mental health services to children and adolescents who are victims of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, bullying, or have been exposed to traumatic experiences. Created in 2014, unique in Greece and pioneering at European and international levels.
• ODYSSEAS Mobile Laboratory Mobile laboratory that visits cities throughout Greece providing educational interventions on child protection topics for students, educators, and parents.
• Research and Rescue Team 'Thanasis Makris' Volunteer team specializing in search and rescue operations for missing persons, operating in collaboration with authorities.
• Emergency Operations Center The only child-focused Emergency Operations Center in Greece, located at Athens International Airport 'El. Venizelos', ensuring uninterrupted service under any circumstances.
• Shelter Houses (Σπίτια) Residential homes for children of various ages regardless of nationality and origin, placed by competent Prosecutorial and Judicial Authorities due to serious abuse and neglect.
• Vacation Houses (Σπίτια Διακοπών) Holiday accommodation facilities providing children in care with rest and recreational opportunities.
• Day Care Houses (Σπίτια Ημερήσιας Φροντίδας) Day care facilities for children whose families face serious functionality problems, providing daily support services.
• Child Advocacy Center Center for child-friendly justice, created to support children navigating legal and protection processes.
• Immediate Social Intervention Centers (K.A.K.E.) Strategically located centers across the country providing immediate social intervention services.
• Smile Academy Education and training academy offering an interactive digital platform for education and information. Delivers remote interventions and distance learning programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,200,000 children and families supported since 1995
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Missing Children Europe (MCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the board of Missing Children Europe, collaborating with other European organizations to eliminate sexual exploitation and locate missing children across Europe.
• International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive and equal board member; recognized as National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; coordinates Southeast Europe Center.
• National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) - USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration for finding solutions and implementing programs globally to eliminate child disappearance and exploitation.
• Global Missing Children's Network (GMCN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in global network with public and private organizations from around the world.
• United Nations (UN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN collaborating body in DPI (Department of Public Information); NGO with special advisory status in UN ECOSOC.
• Child Helpline International (CHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of international network of helplines present in 120 countries.
• European Federation for Street Children (EFSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of European federation for street children.
• CiscocoreTechnology or IntegrationCisco Academy for digital skills training; Cisco Webex platform for video conferencing; Cisco CEO Antonios Tsimperidis on Board of Directors.
• European Commission DG ECHOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection.
• The Smiling HippominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing support.
• Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnables unique Emergency Operations Center at the airport; Creative Occupation space for children in terminals.
• Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement since 2009 for school prevention programs.
• Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunds the House of the Child mental health center operations.
• Greek Ministry of National DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of cooperation for mutual support.
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for refugee children support.
• Operation Underground RailroadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization combatting human trafficking.
• Greek Red CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of cooperation for humanitarian support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): The US-based national nonprofit serving as the primary coordinating body for missing and exploited children in the United States. The Smile of the Child's Amber Alert Hellas and 116000 line are explicitly modeled on NCMEC's systems, and the two organizations are close strategic partners. NCMEC operates at significantly larger scale as the global reference model for this category.
• NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children): The UK's leading child protection charity, operating helplines (similar to The Smile of the Child's 1056/116111), children's services, and child protection advocacy. Comparable in mission and operational model, though at substantially larger scale with broader service breadth and a 130+ year history.
• SOS Children's Villages: Global nonprofit providing alternative family-based care for children without parental care, with operations across 130+ countries including Greece. Comparable in mission (child welfare, residential care, family strengthening) and operational model (shelter houses, day care, family support programs), though with stronger emphasis on long-term residential care versus The Smile of the Child's emergency response focus.
• Terre des Hommes: International children's rights nonprofit with presence across Europe and beyond, focused on child protection, migration, and development. Comparable in mission scope and the combination of emergency response with longer-term child welfare programs, though operating at a much larger international scale.

Direct peers

• International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC): Global nonprofit working to protect children from sexual exploitation, abduction, and abuse worldwide. The Smile of the Child holds active board membership and coordinates the ICMEC Southeast Europe Center, making it a regional operational peer with aligned mission and shared program infrastructure.
• Missing Children Europe: European federation of NGOs working on missing and sexually exploited children, of which The Smile of the Child is a board member. Directly comparable in mission, service portfolio (helplines, awareness campaigns, policy advocacy), and target population, though operating as a coordinating umbrella rather than direct service provider.
• Childline: UK-based helpline and counseling service for children and young people, operated by the NSPCC. Directly comparable in service model (24/7 helpline, online chat, counseling for at-risk youth) and target audience, representing the most operationally similar service peer for The Smile of the Child's Chat 1056 and SOS Line offerings.
• Save the Children (Greece): The Greek national affiliate of the Save the Children international federation, operating child protection, education, and emergency response programs in Greece. Directly comparable in mission, target beneficiaries, and operational scope within the Greek market, representing the most direct in-country competitor for donor funds and government partnerships.

Others

• Child Helpline International: Umbrella network of child helplines across 120 countries that The Smile of the Child is a member of. Comparable as the coordinating infrastructure for cross-border child helpline collaboration, though serves as an enabling network rather than a direct service competitor.

Regional players

• European Federation for Street Children (EFSC): European federation of which The Smile of the Child is a member, focused on street children across Europe. Comparable in mission scope and federation membership structure, though focused on a narrower population segment and operating primarily as an advocacy/coordinating body rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/---the-smile-of-the-child

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Smile of the Child